Which statement best describes solicitation of patients in Oklahoma podiatry?

• A. It is allowed to solicit patients via free seminars.
• B. It is allowed to solicit existing patients for new services.
• C. It is prohibited to solicit patients through coercive means.
• D. It is allowed to solicit patients through unconditional offers.

Answer: (D)

Advertising and solicitation in Oklahoma podiatry must align with standards against coercion and misrepresentation. The best description is that you may solicit patients through unconditional offers, as long as the offer is clear, truthful, and not tied to any coercive pressure or misrepresentation about outcomes or required care. An unconditional offer means there are no strings attached—for example, a straightforward initial evaluation or a discount—so it’s permissible when presented honestly and without pressure.

Why this fits best: it captures the permissible, non-coercive nature of acceptable solicitation, focusing on offers that prospective patients can act on freely without feeling obliged or misled. The other approaches—advertising via free seminars, soliciting existing patients for new services, or any form of coercive or contingent appeals—either raise concern under advertising standards or aren’t the defining, allowable practice the standards emphasize. For safe practice, ensure any offer is clearly stated, non-misleading, and compliant with all applicable board rules.